The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1887-11-19

lie had never seen Ora before his en-
gagement to the brilliant Adeline had be-
come a fixed fact, for she was skilfully
kept out of society, and was seen very little
even in their home.
But the first glimpse of her dark, imperi-
Gus, passionate little face, with its strange
blending of sadness and scorn, was revc-
lation.
lie had not stopped to anslyze his own
feelings, or perhaps he would not have been
guilty of the act which she resented with
such indignant scom.
He only knew that her presence held
keen delight for him, let her moods be what
they might. But he would not dare to
trouble her again.
AT last he was beginning to realize all the
truth, and to feel that the path of honor led
him unuityingly from Orra's side.
That evening the entire party from River
dale, as the place was called, attended
concert in the adjoining town.
Ora was also there, and her seat was d.
rectly back of that occupied by Adeline and
her lover,
Suddenly, toward The close of the enter
tainment, the cry Of fire was started, and,
in less than breath of time, people started
to their feet and panic seemed Inevitable.
Some impulse forced Hugh to turn swift
ly to the seat behind him, knowing Ade-
line was safe by his side.
At the first glance his fair, handsome face
turned pale with horror. The windows
were open, as it was a soft, spring night;
and there, poised on the sill, her big, dark
eyes wild with terror and her lovely face
blanched to the hue of snow, crouched Ora
Shelton, just ready to spring to the ground,
fearful leap, as she thought, for life.
With the spe of lightning Hugh threw
himself acress the seat and caught her in
his strong arms, snatching her back from
the very jaws of death.
He drew her to his breast, and for one
instant the white, terrified little face lay
there unres.tiHgly, all its pride and scorn
forgotten.
"My little love my darling | haye
saved your he murmured passienately,
bending down, unheeded by the confused
throng about them, and touching her lips
with kiss that thhat thrilled the pale,
sweet face into a rose-red blush.
She opered her eyes and looked at his
just once-and then brayely tried to free
herself from her clasping arms.
But all her pride and queenliness would
never avail again to hide the answering love
he had read IN her beautiful eyes.
lie let her go, but there was smile on
his lips, and, deep down in his inmost soul,
an unalterable, sudden purpose TO free him
self the loYeless fetters that held him, and
win this dark-eyep girl who had given him
nothing but scorn, yet who loved him for
all that.
The danger was oyer-for IL had been
false alarm-and the audience were gradu-
ally settling back to their places.
AS Hugh turned again to Adeline he no.
ticed a stranger beside hel--a very hand
some man, dark and fascinating, Who had
fusion, and unexpectedly met an old ac-
quaintance.
For the first time Hugh thought of notic-
ing what was going on about him.
"Yes, it was an awful blow-your un-
looked-for refusal, Adelins," the stranger
was saying, in voice so low that II barely
reached Hugh's ear. "But I managed to
live it down-or thought had until to-
night. And am rich now, Adeline. II
you had waited"
''Richp' echoed Adeline, pallor sweep
ing suddenly over her beautiful blonde face.
"Oh, Rupert and it was only for want of
that broke your heart and mine! And
now"
"Is it too late?" began hel coHpanion
passionately; but just thenIHueh touched
his fiancee lightly on the shoulder.
She looked up with a guilty start, and
Hugh saw that she had utterly forgotten
him in the memories called up by the hand
some stranger.
NO, Adeline, it is not too late" put in
Hugh, smiling softly. "By happy chance,
it would seem, everything has come around
just right, and just in time to straighten
out very tangled web, and make four of
us as happy as we came within an ace Of
being miserable. WIN it surprise you, AIDE
line, to learn that | loYe your little dark
eyed step-sister?"
yes" she returned, looking her aston
ishment. 'But'-holding cut her hand
with bright, frank smile-"Hugh, am
very glad"
And so was Ora, as Hugh persuaded her
to confess to him before the midnight
chimes ended that eventful day.